I think it was more a timing thing, given that the debate in this thread heated up on the eve of the game.

Like I've maintained all along, RvP is in terrific form. I've only ever railed against the assertion that he's reached a Ronaldo/Henry type level.

Of course Rooney had bad moments in games too. But Amol, you basically implied that RvP had gone to a completely new level in the PL. Given the standards that you imposed, yesterday was a poor showing from the player.

We've had a lot of talk about RvP carrying teammates, but yesterday he was poor at two vital moments - they should have really gone through.

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I've implied that he's hit a level that is closer to the likes of Henry and Ronaldo that any of the top players in the league have hit. And on that basis, I consider him the best. I don't vouch for him continuing to be the best or being the best on reflection at the end of his career. It could end up being a one off year or he might have 3 such amazing years or for all we know he could start becoming a crock all over again.

As for yesterday, it's not really relevant to the comparison now is it? I'm hardly going breeze in here claiming Rooney is worse off with respect to the comparison if he tomorrow has an off day (in which he scores might I add) which he will do. It just seems extremely irrelevant.

Yeah, but what's the point really? It comes across as a bit bitter to be honest. It would be pointless for this to be reduced from discussion on the two players to taking corners, waiting for opportunities to gain points and striking when the iron is hot.

It would be strange if I keep rushing in here when Rooney's touch or head goes for an individual game and quote the sentence above the one you quoted and say the same thing you did.

Personally, I'm open to discussion. I have no great interest in Van Persie's fortunes in the future. I'd obviously prefer Rooney to dwarf him in terms of performances given he plays for us. Right now, I believe he (VP) is better. Let's see how it pans out in the future. And if my opinion on that changes, it will be on the basis of actual performance levels rather than someone missing a chance or getting sent off.

Rooney's play outside the box is nearly Xavi/Iniesta-esque IMO, to demand the same of RVP is a tad unfair because the only player I can think of who can combine the qualities of both together is Messi.

Rooney suits our play more given our dire midfield situation. We need him to come deeper to accelerate play if not it will be ponderous as hell. RVP is decent-ish outside the box, he will get by with his good technique, but he lacks the playmaking qualities of Rooney.

Rooney's play outside the box is nearly Xavi/Iniesta-esque IMO, to demand the same of RVP is a tad unfair because the only player I can think of who can combine the qualities of both together is Messi.

Rooney suits our play more given our dire midfield situation. We need him to come deeper to accelerate play if not it will be ponderous as hell. RVP is decent-ish outside the box, he will get by with his good technique, but he lacks the playmaking qualities of Rooney.

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

In terms of passing, positioning, movement and decision-making, I don't think he is as far off from Xavi/Iniesta as people here are thinking? His ball-control can be erratic but on his day it is surely as good as Xavi/Iniesta?

No top team can get away playing a 38-year old, a 36-year old or a young CB in two-man midfield and still be challenging for titles. One of the big reasons why our midfield hasn't been overrun for the past two seasons is because we have Rooney dropping very deep to support it. Rooney is invaluable to our football.

No top team can get away playing a 38-year old, a 36-year old or a young CB in two-man midfield and still be challenging for titles. One of the big reasons why our midfield hasn't been overrun for the past two seasons is because we have Rooney dropping very deep to support it. Rooney is invaluable to our football.

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How about giving the 38 year old and 36 year some credit as well for that? Our whole football side doesn't solely revolve around Wayne Rooney. We managed pretty well in the first half of last season when Berbatov and Nani were superb and Rooney was mending his broken touch.

Seriously, how is Rooney's playmaking abilities even close to Xavi and Iniesta? How?? It's one of the silliest claims I've heard here in a long time. And the bit about his first touch is laughable. You could make a claim for Berbatov's first touch matching anyone. But Rooney's first touch isn't even one of his biggest strengths, forget being as good as two players with absolutely brilliant ball control.

No top team can get away playing a 38-year old, a 36-year old or a young CB in two-man midfield and still be challenging for titles. One of the big reasons why our midfield hasn't been overrun for the past two seasons is because we have Rooney dropping very deep to support it. Rooney is invaluable to our football.

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This is true which is why the answer to the question below is quite simple:

He was poor tonight. Horrible miss and penalty aside, he wasn't very good.

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Didn't have the greatest game and the miss was poor by his standards. I can see his rationale behind his chip because the keeper was right close to him but the more elaborate attempts always look bad when they don't come off!

Bloody hell. You'd think Rooney is the reason for the sun popping out from behind the clouds going by some of those posts. Fergie should thank Rooney every single day that he allows him to put the young and extremely talented Phil Jones in midfield. Giggs and Scholes too, for their careers would never have been prolonged if it wasn't for Rooney.

No top team can get away playing a 38-year old, a 36-year old or a young CB in two-man midfield and still be challenging for titles. One of the big reasons why our midfield hasn't been overrun for the past two seasons is because we have Rooney dropping very deep to support it. Rooney is invaluable to our football.

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That's exactly what we've done for a lot of this season, and the majority of last. Rooney dropping deep has only really become a major part of our play this season, and only really does he actually get involved in the "midfield work" in the bigger games that we've played. We're playing a 4-4-1-1... not a 4-5-1. The reason we're not being "overrun" is because Carrick/Cleverley/Scholes/Giggs/whoevers in there are very good footballers... Rooney obviously assists, particularly when we ask him to sit on the deepest man of the oppositions midfield 3 if the game requires it, but I think you're over-exaggerating his contribution to that area of the field, and under-appreciating what our current midfielders bring to the table.

To say our current midfield situation is "dire" is frankly an insult to a man that has been in superb form in Michael Carrick, and another two men who, whilst may be getting on a bit, are still a class above the majority of footballers in the league.

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

In terms of passing, positioning, movement and decision-making, I don't think he is as far off from Xavi/Iniesta as people here are thinking? His ball-control can be erratic but on his day it is surely as good as Xavi/Iniesta?

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That's like saying Ashley Young's finishing is as good as Wayne Rooney's... because on his day (Sunday) he lashed in two beauties.

Rooney's playmaking skills are very good, but you're talking about Xavi and Iniesta here, two of the best (if not the best) passers and manipulaters of a football in the world... Rooney's passing and creating skills, whilst fantastic, are simply not on the same level... if they were, surely he'd carve out a lot more chances and bag a lot more assists then the 3 he currently has to his name??

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

In terms of passing, positioning, movement and decision-making, I don't think he is as far off from Xavi/Iniesta as people here are thinking? His ball-control can be erratic but on his day it is surely as good as Xavi/Iniesta?

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

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I find it hard to believe you have the cheek to stick a houllier on the end of a claim that Rooney is almost as good at playmaking as Xavi/Iniesta. If you can not spot the difference in quality by now, i doubt you ever will.

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

In terms of passing, positioning, movement and decision-making, I don't think he is as far off from Xavi/Iniesta as people here are thinking? His ball-control can be erratic but on his day it is surely as good as Xavi/Iniesta?

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That's a daring statement, but it's really very mental. He doesn't have the ability or the consistency of those two in terms of playmaking, it isn't even close.

What? I find it hard to believe nobody here considers Rooney's playmaking abilities to be nearly as good as Xavi/Iniesta.

In terms of passing, positioning, movement and decision-making, I don't think he is as far off from Xavi/Iniesta as people here are thinking? His ball-control can be erratic but on his day it is surely as good as Xavi/Iniesta?

Your entitled to your opinion and all that, but that's just utterly ridiculous on every single level you look at it. He's a good playmaker in your system, but is light years behind Xavi let alone Iniesta.

Your entitled to your opinion and all that, but that's just utterly ridiculous on every single level you look at it. He's a good playmaker in your system, but is light years behind Xavi let alone Iniesta.

Yeah, but what's the point really? It comes across as a bit bitter to be honest. It would be pointless for this to be reduced from discussion on the two players to taking corners, waiting for opportunities to gain points and striking when the iron is hot.

It would be strange if I keep rushing in here when Rooney's touch or head goes for an individual game and quote the sentence above the one you quoted and say the same thing you did.

Personally, I'm open to discussion. I have no great interest in Van Persie's fortunes in the future. I'd obviously prefer Rooney to dwarf him in terms of performances given he plays for us. Right now, I believe he (VP) is better. Let's see how it pans out in the future. And if my opinion on that changes, it will be on the basis of actual performance levels rather than someone missing a chance or getting sent off.

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It's not bitter whatsoever. I like RvP and think he's a fantastic player.

This was the natural place to place his performance into the debate we've been having.

I thought he was unbelievably poor on two of his three big moments in the match.

The square ball to Rosicky when they were 2 v 1 and his astonishing miss.

Not to denigrate his form this season, it's been brilliant, but they really ought to have gone through yesterday and would have done but for a couple of poor moments.